China's Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural site on July 5, 2019.
Located in the Yellow Sea ecoregion, the site features the world’s largest intertidal mudflat system. The continuous mudflat seashore and marshes form a big growth area for many species, which leads to high biodiversity with over 280 species of fish and more than 500 species of invertebrates.
Migratory birds flying in the China's Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf. /VCG
According to the official UNESCO website, natural sites provide crucial habitats to many iconic species and harbor unique natural beauty, stunning landscapes, rare ecological processes and exceptional biodiversity.
UNESCO labels natural world heritage sites as the "nature's most precious gifts to humanity."
China's Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf. /VCG
Since the area is the central node for the East Asian-Australasian flyway of migratory birds, every year, thousands of birds gather there, including some of the world’s most endangered species, like the spoon-billed sandpiper, to make a stopover for resting or nesting.
An endangered spoon-billed sandpiper is foraging on a mudflat. /VCG
About Treasure of Nature
The extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee takes place in Fuzhou, capital city of southeast China's Fujian Province from July 16 to 31. This series takes you on a tour of the beautiful natural world heritage sites in China and helps you to learn more about these treasures of nature.
(Cover via VCG, designed by CGTN's Yu Peng.)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)